Monday, December 12, 2011

How Dumb Does the Shafia Defense Team Think We Are?

They must think we're really, really dumb if they're using this as a defence:

One of the sons of an Afghan-Canadian couple charged with killing four members of the family in a so-called “honour killing” told their murder trial Monday he did not believe his parents and jointly accused older brother were capable of such a deed.

If they had had any such murderous intentions, it would likely have been himself who would have been the target, “because I used to do more (unacceptable) stuff than any of (the victims) did,” the witness said.

Right, because as that old Afghanistan adage goes, "a man's honour lies between his own legs."

TORONTO - Some Toronto-area Muslims say their religion is suffering from the negative publicity surrounding allegations of honour killings presented in a multiple murder case being heard in Kingston, Ont.

Some community members were paying respect to victims of domestic violence including honour killings during their prayer services on Friday.

About 50 worshippers gathered at the Noor Cultural Centre, on Wynford Dr., to remember victims of domestic abuse.

The issue was brought to the front-burner by the Dec. 6 anniversary of the slaying of women at Montreal’s École Polytechnique and the ongoing Mohammad Shafia murder trial in which honour killings are alleged.

Shafia, 58, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, along with his 41-year-old wife, Tooba Yahya, and their 20-year-old son, Hamed.

The bodies of three Shafia sisters Zainab, 19, Sahar, 17, and Geeti, 13 were found in a Kingston canal along with Mohammad Shafia’s first wife, Rona Amir Mohammad, 52,

Imam Kassim Ebrahim said Islam has been placed in a negative light by the allegations.

“Some people feel that honour killing is sanctioned by Islam,” Ebrahim told worshippers. “There is nothing that is further from the truth.”

He said the Koran teaches believers to love and respect women.

“We have problems right here in our own backyard,” he said. “These attacks against women are taking place worldwide.”

He cited poverty and unemployment as factors that can lead to the abuse.

Devotee Sarfraz Akhtah said his religion is suffering...

What an odd way to look at it. I'd say the women who are on the receiving end of abuse by men (who want to keep them in line because, for example, the Koran tells them their wife is a "tilth" or that they can give them a smack or two providing they don't leave marks that can be seen in public) are suffering much more than "his religion."